#6 Goals, Mistakes, Success
This week we talk about how Bruce Lee documented his goals, valued mistakes and created a personal definition of success. A dedicated journal writer, Lee consistently wrote down his big and small goals. He believed that all goals did not have to be achieved, they were a way to orient yourself towards a big dream with meaning. They were also an opportunity to make mistakes along the way, learn and adapt as necessary—being in flow, using no way as way. He wrote this big goal for himself when he was 28 years old:
My Definite Chief Aim
I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.
Bruce Lee, Jan. 1969
Bruce Lee also valued mistakes and defeat. To him, "defeat is nothing but education. Nothing but the first step to figuring out something better.” Mistakes were learning moments. He also said "success means doing something sincerely and whole-heartedly.” It was a way of being a human being, not a destination or outcome. The success is in the doing and doing it with your whole heart.
Action step for this week: try to write your own Definite Chief Aim.
#AAHA
(Awesome Asians and Hapas) This week’s shoutout goes to chef and owner of n/naka, Niki Nakayama. Niki was born into a restaurant family and tried her hand at the family business with a normal popular sushi restaurant. But her artist’s heart longed for something more connected to her soul. She traveled throughout Japan for 3 years learning kaiseki style cuisine, a formal presentation of courses that accompany Buddhist tea ceremonies at monasteries. She then transformed this ancient cooking style into a modern interpretation that is uniquely her own. Her journey is beautifully documented in the Netflix series Chef’s Table and it’s worth a watch.
#BruceLeeMoment
(Bruce Lee’s philosophy in action IRL) This week’s #BruceLeeMoment comes from our team member Richard Grewar who runs the Bruce Lee Foundation. Richard has struggled with depression for twenty years. On a particularly tough day when he felt like isolating, shutting down and giving up, this quote from Bruce Lee helped him zoom out and notice the world around him along with some frolicking dolphins:
“It's like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don’t concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory.”
Share your #AAHA and #BruceLeeMoment recommendations with us via social media @BruceLee or email us at hello@brucelee.com.
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